Memorandum of Understanding with Bombardier linked to the expansion of the Q400 fleet in African region

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Falcon Aviation Services LLC of Abu Dhabi signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for five additional Q400 NextGen airliners. The LOI is in addition to the order for two Q400 NextGen aircraft announced in February 2014 and an order for one firm aircraft placed in April 2014.

The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) whereby they agree to collaborate in addressing the need in Africa and the Middle East for multiple, high quality aircraft solutions which meet international standards.

Based on Q400 NextGen aircraft list price, should the LOI for the five Q400 NextGen aircraft be converted to a firm order, the firm order contract would be valued at approximately $160 million US.

Falcon Aviation Services is based at Al Bateen Executive Airport and operates a fleet of corporate jets conducting VIP charter flights, as well as a fleet of helicopters serving the offshore oil and gas industry. The company also conducts search and rescue, aircraft management, maintenance, repair and overhaul, as well as consulting operations.

“As part of our expansion plans, we have increased our orders for the Q400 aircraft to provide not only the right aircraft for the job, but also to present operators with a host of aviation solutions from leasing to turn-key operations. We are bridging the gap of aircraft and experience with new reliable equipment and helping empower operators to achieve profitable operations," said Captain Mahmoud Ismael, Chief Operating Officer, Falcon Aviation Services.

“Bombardier invented the modern turboprop when it introduced the Q400 aircraft and built on that aircraft when it developed the Q400 NextGen aircraft,” said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial aircraft. “With its perfect balance of passenger comfort, performance and operational flexibility, the Q400 NextGen aircraft occupies an advantageous niche in the marketplace and its optional dual class, extra capacity and cargo-passenger combi configurations position it to again reshape the turboprop market through profitable growth.”

Including Falcon Aviation’s order, Bombardier has recorded firm orders for a total of 499 Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft. Worldwide, Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft have transported more than 295 million passengers and have logged over 4.7 million flight hours and more than 5 million take-offs and landings. The Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft program includes over 50 customers and operators in close to 40 countries on five continents.

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